War Prisoner Chapter 86

Ever since Wanyan Xia had saved Su Yi's life, he had stopped residing in that shabby wooden structure by the side of the North Lake. Instead, Wanyan Xu had specially arranged for him to live in a small hall [1] to the side of the Garden of Merriment. One reason was that the locale made it more convenient for him to continue treating Su Yi's illness; another reason is that the two could be considered old comrades who shared a bond that was forged through shared trials and tribulations; to alleviate boredom they could enjoy conversing with each other. 

Although there was a mult.i.tude of people within the palace, but still, the vast majority were women. Although Wanyan Shuo was adorable, there were lessons that needed his attention and moreover, his temper was as eccentric as a genie's. As they had more things in common, it was better for Su Yi to have Wanyan Xia to converse with. Wanyan Xu had originally thought of sending for Xu Jinhua to come into the palace and keep Su Yi company but he did not know his whereabouts and therefore he had to give up this notion. From all this, it could be seen that he had gone to a lot of trouble to make Su Yi's daily life as enjoyable as possible.

And now, Wanyan Xu carried Su Yi in his arms and flew all the way to Wanyan Xia's residence. Wanyan Xia spotted them coming even when they were still a long distance away but did not bother to go and welcome them. Instead he continued to manipulate the rabbit's back leg and when the two people approached, he said blandly: “What long ears you have, they are even longer than this rabbit's. It must be Shuo Er who informed you of this. Just as I thought, he is incapable of keeping this a secret.”

Wanyan Xu said urgently: “Worthy little brother, let us not waste time speaking of things that are not important. When all is said and done, how has your research progressed? Su Su... Su Su’s leg... Can the break really be fully mended?” Although the tone of his voice was full of hope, the look on his face revealed his worries; he was afraid that the answer he would soon hear would cause Su Yi and him to have rejoiced in vain.

When Wanyan Xia saw that he was in this state, his could not help but to relent and a hint of a smile revealed itself on his usually cold and impa.s.sive face. He said: “It has cost me endless effort but this time, the leg that was broken in a few places has been mended with much difficulty.” With that, he looked towards Su Yi, who was still clasped in Wanyan Xu’s arms and said: “You don’t have to worry, as long as your leg bones have not been utterly shattered into bits, I will be able to restore your leg. It’s just that...” 

Suddenly, he shut his mouth and his face betrayed a trace of vacillation, as if he could not quite bring himself to administer the treatment to Su Yi. He looked at Su Yi again and said: “It's just that this method of treatment is really too painful and it takes a long time to be completed. This rabbit has almost died from the pain a few times. Every time I hear the screams that it gives before it collapses, I almost cannot bear to continue treating it. I wonder if you... can manage to endure it.”

Upon hearing these words, Wanyan Xu promptly began to get anxious again. Without thinking about it, he blurted out: “It’s so painful? Then what shall we do...” Before he could finish, Su Yi had already caught hold of his hand. With a smile, Su Yi said: “Perhaps the Second Prince is under the mistaken impression that I am too weak to stand up to even the wind. In any case, I was once a General. Today, although... although I am living in the Inner Court, but my true nature remains unchanged. This is just a little bit of physical suffering, what is so unbearable about it? Please do not hesitate to carry out your treatment plan, even if it does not take, I will still be grateful to you.”

Wanyan Xia made a sound of displeasure and said: “Remember that you said these words yourself. If it were anybody else, I would not treat him. The most important thing when it comes to healing is to have a plan in advance and solutions in reserve. There are no benefits in having any doubts before the start of treatment.” With that said, he released the rabbit and said: “Poor little thing, you are completely alright now.” After that, he called over one of his own palace maids and said: “Bring it out and let it have a good feed, it has suffered much over this period of time.”　

When Wanyan Xu saw that he was so confident, his heart was truly elated, but at the same time he worried that he would recall all the ways that Wanyan Xu had wronged him in the past, therefore he quickly put on a smile and said: “Xia Er, do you have enough help with only these palace maids? Let me [2] a.s.sign a few more to your service...” Before he could finish, Wanyan Xia already had some insight as to what was on his mind. With a smile, he said: “Don’t worry, I will certainly treat him.” And then, he shook his head and looking towards Su Yi, he said: “I really do not know what spell you could have used from whichever school of sorcery, that could cause even this person who has a heart of stone to become this bewitched by you.”

Both feeling somewhat embarra.s.sed, Wanyan Xu and Su Yi bowed their heads. Suddenly they heard Zi Nong's voice coming from beyond the door, saying: “Your Majesty, Honourable Minister He says that he has something to report to you, he is waiting in the Royal Study for an audience now.” Su Yi quickly said: “Since a matter of State has come up, you should go quickly and see to it.” 

When he saw that Wanyan Xu’s expression had changed, he could help but to feel that something strange was afoot, could it be that Wanyan Xu knew what the matter was? He watched as Wanyan Xu placed him down and left wearing an expression that was as bleak as the depths of the ocean. Just as he was feeling increasingly puzzled, he suddenly heard Wanyan Xia give a cold laugh and say: “And to think that you are usually so clever. I have heard from Shuo Er that this Honourable Minister He is the Minister of Justice. It must be that Imperial... Imperial Elder Brother has asked him to investigate the circ.u.mstances behind your rebellion. Otherwise at a time like this, would there be another matter that could cause him to wear this kind of expression?”

Su Yi was greatly startled. In this period of time, Wanyan Xu had been looking after him with the greatest possible care and Su Yi had wholeheartedly been feeling blessed and blissful beyond measure. Although he had thought of those scholars occasionally, he had also remembered Zi Yan's guarantee to himself at those times. Thus he had been lulled into believing that the matter was not pressing and allowed himself to continue to luxuriate in the happy times, thinking that it would be good if he could continue to enjoy them for even one second more. Su Yi could never have predicted that this matter would be brought to the fore so fast. 

Also, Su Yi could not have understood better than he already did about what type of person Wanyan Xu was. Although he now spoiled Su Yi to this extent and had feelings of guilt towards Su Yi but once he learned of the scholars’ rebellion, it was impossible for him to let them off just because of his personal feelings for Su Yi. Actually, he could not fault Wanyan Xu for that, if Su Yi were standing in his shoes, he could not possibly let those people off either. Otherwise, how could he face his courtiers and even the common people? Even worse, it would set a bad precedent that would only encourage those people who still sought to stage a rebellion. In the first place, that was also the reason why he had chosen to confess to plotting a rebellion rather than to let Wanyan Xu find out the truth. It wasn't that he did not trust Wanyan Xu, but it was because he understood the seriousness of the situation all too well.

As he was feeling anxious, so anxious that he felt that he was burning up on the inside, Zi Nong suddenly walked into the room again. She was muttering: “What devilry is this again?” When she saw Su Yi, she said hurriedly: “Young Master is this not strange? Zi Yan insisted on forcing me to come and get you to go to the Imperial Study to eavesdrop on His Majesty. She even said that it is the only way to let you rest easy about something; I cannot understand what she meant at all. Young Master do you want to go?” At the same time she was speaking, a few eunuchs had already carried over a sedan chair.

“Yes, naturally I want to go.” Su Yi could not conceal his emotions any longer and his anxiety was written all over his face. He understood that Zi Yan must have fulfilled her promise but was afraid that he would not believe her and thus, she had wanted Zi Nong to bring him over to listen for himself. He saw that Zi Nong was getting more and more suspicious, although she did not ask any more questions as the eunuchs lifted him onto the sedan chair and carried him in the direction of the Imperial Study.